Pharmacist doubles down on dispensing concerns following announcement

Narrabri pharmacist and business owner Catherine McDonald has doubled down on concerns voiced about changes to the dispensation of medications following the federal government’s go-ahead last week.

Ms McDonald, who operates CAMstart Pharmacy, voiced her concerns to The Courier last week about a possible introduction of 60-day dispensing.

Following Ms McDonald’s remarks, the federal government announced it was proceeding with the changes which will start to be introduced later this year.

“It won’t save people time and it won’t save them money – it will just make it harder to get the medicines you and your family need,” Ms McDonald said. “Already there are over 400 PBS medicines in shortage, with substitutes not available, and this will make it much worse.

“Medicines to treat cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease will all be short.”

Ms McDonald suggested the federal government lower the cost of the patient co-payment as a means of assisting people with the cost of medication. The PBS general patient co-payment is currently $30.

“Sixty-day dispensing will fundamentally change our income streams, including our dispensing fees from the government,” Ms McDonald said.

“When these changes are put in place on September 1, 2023, we may have to seriously change the way our pharmacy operates.”

Ms McDonald’s concerns have been echoed by neighbouring Maitland Street pharmacist Karen Carter, who operates pharmacies in Narrabri and Gunnedah.

Both pharmacists have voiced serious concerns about the change’s impact on essential pharmacy services as well as broader supply issues with medications.

The change to 60-day dispensing has been welcomed by both the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, however, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has said two million patients will be worse off as a result of the medicine shortages across the nation.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler described the change as good for Australians’ hip pockets as well as their health.

“Sixty-day dispensing might sound like a good idea, but it will be disastrous in practice,” Ms McDonald said.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has also voiced concern about the change’s impact on regional pharmacies, given the strong links that exist between people and their local pharmacist.